8 DIY Home Remedies for Morning Sickness

Nausea during pregnancy is commonly known as morning sickness and effects 80% of pregnant women, usually during the first trimester. Nausea is a sign that pregnancy hormone levels are good and are allowing your baby to grow. When pregnant, your body produces the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) in larger quantities. This is responsible for nausea and other pregnancy side effects like hormonal changes, vitamin deficiency, stress, strong odor, anxiety, constipation, and low blood sugar.

Home Remedies for Morning Sickness:

Try these natural home remedies for relief from pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting

1. Ginger

Ginger contains gingerols and shogaols which offers quick relief from nausea and vomiting. Pregnant women should not drink this tea more than three times daily. Suck a small piece of ginger or chew a ginger candy for instant relief from nausea and morning sickness.

Process 1:

• Boil grated ginger in water for 5 minutes.
• Add honey to the water.
• Drink daily for best results.
• Or Add half teaspoon of powdered ginger to a cup of boiling water.
• Steep for few minute then strain and drink.

Process 2:

• Mix 1 teaspoon each of mint leaves paste, lemon juice, and honey and half a teaspoon of ginger paste.
• Drink twice daily for best results.
  

There are even more uses of ginger for morning sickness right here.

2. Lemon

Lemon has a natural calming effect which reduces nausea. Chew on lemon or lemon-flavored candy, smell lemon peels for nausea relief.

Process 1:

• Squeeze juice from one lemon and add to 1 glass of water.
• Drink everyday in the morning to get rid of nausea.

Process 2:

• Mix a teaspoon each of fresh lemon juice and mint juice.
• Add honey or sugar, if desired.
• Drink three times daily for best results.

 3. Fennel Tea

Fennel seeds can quickly calm your stomach and helps with digestion. Fennel seeds contain anesthetic properties (like mint) which treat nausea.

Process:

• Boil a tablespoon of crushed fennel seeds in a cup of water for 10 minutes.
• Add lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey.
• Drink daily for best results.
• Note: Alternately chew a teaspoon of fennel seeds after meals to help with digestion.

 4. Curry Leaves

Curry leaves help digestion, nausea, and morning sickness.

Process:

• Press curry leaves to extract the juice.
• Mix two teaspoons of fresh lime or lemon juice, curry leaf juice, and a teaspoon of honey.
• Drink 2 – 3 times daily for best results.

5. Peppermint

Anesthetic properties of peppermint help to calm the stomach and reduce nausea. Inhale the scent of peppermint essential oil or suck on peppermint candies for relief.

Process:

• Boil a tablespoon of peppermint leaves in a cup of water for 15 – 20 minutes.
• Inhale the steam while it boils.
• Strain and add honey or sugar to the liquid.
• Drink daily for best results.
• Note: Do not drink if suffering from heartburn.

6. Red Raspberry – Leaf Tea

Red raspberry soothes uterus muscles. Consult a physician before drinking this tea as is causes uterine contractions.

Process:

• Boil 1 – 2 teaspoons of dried red raspberry leaves in a cup of water for 10 minutes.
• Stain and drink slowly to reduce nausea.

7. Bael Fruit

Bael fruit relieves morning sickness, aids digestion, and prevents constipation.

Process:

• Extract the juice from bael fruit.
• Add 2 – 4 tablespoons of juice to cooked rice.
• Eat 2 – 3 times daily for best results.

 8. ProperDiet

 Planning your diet when suffering from morning sickness helps rid nausea and vomiting.

• Eat starchy foods like pasta, bread, and potatoes. These contain complex carbohydrates and can be easily digested.
• Eat protein-rich foods such as cheese, nuts, peanut butter, and dairy products.
• Eat foods rich in vitamin B6 like avocados and chicken to combat morning sickness.
• Always avoid spicy, fatty, and greasy foods to prevent nausea.
• Crackers are a great cure for morning sickness as they are easy to digest. Eat them throughout the day and one before going to bed to avoid morning sickness. Eat plain, whole-wheat, pretzels, plain popcorns or low salt crackers to eat in a day.
• Dehydration is also one of the reasons for morning sickness. Drink 8 – 10 glass of water every day.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these are extremely harmful during pregnancy.
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those with high water content like watermelon, carrots, tomatoes, celery, oranges, pears, apples, and squash.
• Eat foods rich in vitamin B and zinc lost from vomiting. These regenerates energy and rid morning sickness.
• Eat 5 – 6 small meals rather than three big meals in a day. Big meals cause heartburn, constipation, and upset stomach.
• Eating and drinking at the same time can make you feel bloated. Drink between meals instead of eating during meals.
• When suffering from severe morning sickness, consider a liquid diet to rid morning sickness. Always ask your obstetrician before going on a liquid diet.
• Potato chips ease nausea symptoms during the first trimester of pregnancy. Avoid fat free chips as they contain Olestra which causes diarrhea.
• Take prenatal vitamins with food.
• Have one teaspoon of wild yam root daily to rid of morning sickness.

Tips:

• Lavender and thyme have soothing effects. The scent of these dried herbs helps rid nausea and vomiting. Inhale the scent or add few drops of lavender oil to your bath.
• Certain odors often trigger nausea. Identify and avoid them for relief.
• Sudden moves, changing your posture quickly, and getting up suddenly can leads to morning sickness.
• Exercise alleviates morning sickness. Small walks help keep your body healthy.
• Brush your teeth after vomiting to prevent harsh acids from destroying tooth enamel.
• Fresh air prevents morning sickness.
• Acupuncture, acupressure, and hypnosis have shown to offer nausea relief. Consult doctor before going for acupuncture.
• Always consult your doctor before performing any of these remedies.

Have you tried any of these methods? Do you know any other methods to treat morning sickness? Share your experience with us!

Author Bio : Dr Rahul Sen is  a top obstetrician in the Sydney CBD with locations across NSW, and is currently based at Prince of Wales Private Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Women.